My 50 roadster pickup build

[oldman3]

First thing is my truck has been done for about 7 years, and has about 16,000 miles (I know that's not much, but I have my reasons). About 25 yrs ago my son and I were going to do a father/son project building a roadster pickup. We bought a truck, but it never got going, and he sold the truck. So after I retired and moved to Missouri, I decided to build a pickup, he talked me into doing the roadster, because of old times, and I'm glad I did. I'm 65 years old and have a few builds under my belt. Many of the builds on here make me look like a beginner. I still work on cars and trucks, and my son (moved here a few years ago) and I are starting a 52 AD for him, I'll let him post that. I joined the site in March 2011, and posted a few pics on threads that members were asking about how to's. I have been asked by a couple of members to show my build. All my pictures were taken with an old 35MM and I have had to scan them to my computor. I will post 5 to 15 pics a day with what I did. Will answer any questions anyone may have (if there are any). Hope you enjoy the build.

[oldman3]

This is the 32 Chevy I had for over 20 years, I sold it so I could afford to build the pickup. These are the two I started with.

[oldman3]

Before I could start building the pickup I had to build a shop. I started the shop in 1998 and had it inclosed before winter. Because of cold weather I didn't start working on the pickup till 1999. Picture of the shop and the two pickups.

[oldman3]

Another shot of the two pickups, the rusty one is a 51 5 window and the primer one is a 50 standard cab. This is the body I will use to cut off the top.

[oldman3]

A few months after getting the shop done I found another pickup. This one was a 52 5 window, had an excellent grill and had a 54 bed just sitting on the frame, not attached. I had already decided I wanted a 54 bed, so I bought this one and added it to the collection.

[oldman3]

First thing I did was take the bed off the frame, and disassemble, the passenger side of bed had been in a wreck, and would have to have a lot of work to straighten out. More on that later.

[Indian113]

I'm jealous you started off with better trucks than I'm trying to work with!! Love that 32

[solidaxel]

Hay, Younger than me 3!!!

Like you, we all have started many projects over the years some we keep and some we sell to fund the next project.
Well, I am at the stage of the next build, only my second , and LAST I need a garage and I need some info on yours.
Can you send me a PM and I will pick your grey matter on a few ways to cut cost, just like a car project.

Thanks
Bob

[VA72C10]

cool, looking forward to following along and seeing the end result

[Kim57]

Looks like a nice 32 you got rid of to do the truck.
Do keep the pics coming as the build should be very interesting.
Kim

[oldman3]

Well here's todays pictures. I had ordered this spring kit from a company called Lunatic, I think they were in Washington state, I believe they are out of business now. I was very satisfied with their products. Everything bolted in place (I also welded) after removing old brackets (rusty stuff).

[oldman3]

Pic 1 I checked all the frames and the 52 frame was the best one, here I'm removing the old rear axle, and will start on the brackets, etc.

Pic 2 Setting up the Nova rear axle, with spring kit.

[oldman3]

Pic 1 Welding in 2" angle iron to the frame, so I can cut off the hump, this will allow me to mount the 54 bed on the 52 frame. Running boards will mount in the same locations.

Pic 2 This is a little better shot.

Pic 3 Here I've cut off the hump, bent the short edges down and welded to the angle. I will box this section later. You can also see the 2" lowering block under the axle.

[oldman3]

I bought new wood and runners from Classis Parts (was Chevy Duty) installed and put bed back together for checking fit to frame, etc.

[oldman3]

Pic 1 Removed front doghouse or front end.

Pic 2 Set aside for later.

[oldman3]

Pic 1, 2 & 3 Old engine, etc. Same as most of you have seen many times, front end removed, ready for mockup of new front suspension. Well that's you fix for today, have to start lining up stuff for tomorrow.

[Kabwe]

Well I would love to have that shop. It looks to have a lot of room, but I guess just when you think you have enough room it gets used up pretty quick. -

[VA72C10]

this will be a cool build, good progress every day

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

Well I would love to have that shop. It looks to have a lot of room, but I guess just when you think you have enough room it gets used up pretty quick. -

Shop is 30 X 40, these pics are when it was new, you should see it now, tools, cabinets, shelves, but still have room to work.

[oldman3]

Pic 1 Here I'm marking up the frame to remove extra material for boxing frame.
Pic 2 Checking again for fit.
Pic 3 Boxing plate welded in place, the red on inside of frame is were it was painted with Eastwood encapsulator paint.

[oldman3]

This is my crossmember for a MII system. Crossmember is from Lunatic, I added the angled brackets (from Michael Thomas). Crossmember only had straight holes through the unit.

[oldman3]

Here the crossmember is installed in the frame, also cut a notch in bottom of frame for rack unit. Power rack from JPL. Still need to trim notch pieces.

[oldman3]

Here I've installed the upper mounts.

[oldman3]

Sorry forgot the pic.

[oldman3]

I purchased Heidt's Economy upper and lower A arms. They are nice and strong and cheaper that tubular. I purchased the brakes from ECI with 11" rotor and big calipers. This set up moves the tire outward 3/4" per side to help widen the MII front end. I also had this setup on my 32 Chevy.